Jan. 06, 2011
David E. Steitz
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1730
david.steitz@nasa.gov
RELEASE: 11-003
NASA CHIEF TECHNOLOGIST BRAUN RECEIVES AIAA VON KARMAN AWARD
WASHINGTON -- The American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics
(AIAA) honored NASA Chief Technologist Bobby Braun with the Von
Karman Lectureship in Astronautics.
The award is given annually to someone who has performed notably and
distinguished themselves technically in the field of astronautics.
Braun was recognized for significantly advancing the understanding of
the challenge of Mars entry, descent, and landing, and for the
development of systems concepts and technologies enabling Martian
exploration programs.
As part of the award, Braun delivered the speech "Mars Entry, Descent
and Landing Technology Advancements" Thursday during the AIAA's 49th
Aerospace Sciences Meeting in Orlando. The award honors Theodore von
Karman, an early astronautics pioneer responsible for breakthroughs
in understanding supersonic and hypersonic airflow characterization
and the value of the swept wing design.
"I am honored to be recognized by the AIAA and to speak at this year's
conference about the challenging work done by the scientists and
engineers in NASA's entry, descent and landing technical community,"
Braun said. "My hope is that engineering students around the country
will share in the excitement of planetary exploration, developing new
technologies and advancing our nation's forays in space. By investing
in space technology, NASA makes a difference in our lives every day."
Braun has more than 20 years experience performing design and analysis
of planetary exploration systems as a member of the technical staff
at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., and the Georgia
Institute of Technology. His research has focused on systems' aspects
of planetary exploration, where he contributed to the design,
development, test and operation of several robotic spaceflight
systems.
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden named Braun chief technologist on
Feb. 3, 2010. Braun serves as the principal advisor and advocate on
matters concerning agency-wide technology policy and programs.
Braun received a B.S. in aerospace engineering from Penn State in
1987, M.S. in astronautics from George Washington University in 1989,
and Ph.D. in aeronautics and astronautics from Stanford in 1996.
For Braun's complete biography, visit:
http://go.usa.gov/r8W
For information about NASA's Office of the Chief Technologist, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/oct
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